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Troubleshooting your roof.

 

ALGAE GROWTH

CAUSES
Algae growth causes a dark discoloration on roofs. The algae is usually brown to black in color which results in a streaked, dirty looking rooftop. It can be mistaken for soot, dirt or tree droppings, which typically produce only localized discoloration. It's caused by the growth of air-borne algae which deposits on your roof. The good news is that algae growth does not affect the service life of your roofing material. It occurs most often in warm, humid climates such as the Southeast (where algae-resistant shingles are available).

RECOMMENDATIONS
Discoloration of roofs caused by fungus or algae is difficult to remove, but may be lightened by spraying a diluted solution of chlorine bleach, trisodium phosphate, and water onto the roof. Solutions range from one cup TSP, one gallon bleach and four gallons of water, to one cup TSP and 2.5 gallons each of bleach and water. This solution can then be rinsed from the roof in 10 to 15 minutes. Do not scrub. Scrubbing will loosen and remove granules. After spraying be sure to thoroughly flush the roof and the greenery around the home (grass, bushes and shrubs) with water. The effectiveness of this type of cleaning may only be temporary, and the discoloration may recur. High pressure washing is not recommended due to the possibility of removing granules, thereby shortening the life of the Roofing System.

For a more permanent solution, re-roof with Owens Corning Algae-Resistant Shingles. They are specifically designed to inhibit most algae growth for extended periods of time and are backed by our strongest product and algae resistance warranties* available to homeowners.

BUCKLING

CAUSES

Improperly applied felt
Wrinkled underlayment
Roof deck movement
Spacers not used in between roof deck boards
Poor roof ventilation
New shingles applied over old, rough shingles

RECOMMENDATIONS

Allow moisture to escape the Roofing System. This can be a slow process and could take until the following spring. Once the Roofing System reaches the proper moisture content, the roof should lay flat and the buckling problem should not return.
Remove the shingles that are affected. Cut the wrinkle in the felt and replace the shingles.
Add ventilation to the attic space. The minimum requirement is one square foot of net free vent area per 150 square feet of attic floor space if a vapor retarder is not present. If a vapor retarder is present, the amount of required ventilation can be reduced to one square foot of net free vent area per 300 square feet of attic floor space.
Add ventilation to the attic space. The minimum requirement is one square foot of net free vent area per 150 square feet of attic floor space if a vapor retarder is not present. If a vapor retarder is present, the amount of required ventilation can be reduced to one square foot of net free vent area per 300 square feet of attic floor space.

CURLING

CAUSES

High nails
Lack of back coating
Under-saturation of asphalt felt in organic shingles
Lack of ventilation
Improper number of fasteners

RECOMMENDATIONS

Check location and number of fasteners
Added roof ventilation can often correct

DAMAGED FLASHING

CAUSES

Improper installation on a new roof
Drying and cracking on an old roof
Dented by improper nailing
Settling of the structure

RECOMMENDATIONS

In most cases it is only necessary to remove and replace the flashing and shingles around the damaged area.

MISSING GRANULES

CAUSES

Normally a certain number of granules will be loose, especially after application. These granules are called "riders" and are a normal result of the manufacturing process. Granule loss does not affect the service life of the shingles unless granules can be seen missing on the surface of the shingles, thus exposing the asphalt or Fiberglas® mat.

RECOMMENDATIONS

On aging shingles, missing granules indicate a need for replacement.

MISSING SHINGLES

CAUSES

Improper fastening
Exposure to high winds

RECOMMENDATIONS

Replace shingles which have completely blown off. For shingles with tabs blowing up and down, hand seal the shingles with an asphalt plastic cement, commonly referred to as flashing cement. This roofing cement must comply with ASTM D4586 -- Type I or Type II which is the standard specifically for asbestos-free asphalt plastic roof cement. (Some products meeting this standard may involve hazardous materials. This bulletin does not purport to address all of the safety and health problems associated with the use of materials meeting this specification. It is the responsibility of the user to observe the safety and health practices as determined by the manufacturer of the product and stated on the label, instructions and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
To hand seal, lift each tab of a 3-tab shingle and apply two spots of the cement under each tab. Each spot should be approximately the size of a quarter and placed 1" to 2" from each end of the tab and near the bottom. Laminated shingles require 4 spots of cement per shingle. After application, press the tab down firmly to start the bond. Be careful not to apply the cement too close to the bottom of the tab. This causes the cement to squeeze out when the tab is pressed down.

CEILING SPOTS

CAUSES

Spots are caused by leaks in the roof.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Check attic for leaks in deck.
Check chimney and vents for cracks in flashing.
Check rafters for leaks that "travel" away from original source.
Check eaves for water backing up from ice dams.
Check roof for damaged shingles.

ROTTING

CAUSES

Rotting is caused by absorption of moisture by the mat at the core of the shingle. This is a common problem with organic-based shingles.

RECOMMENDATIONS

BLISTERING

CAUSES

Moisture in the shingle

RECOMMENDATIONS

If the blisters break open revealing the asphalt, the affected shingles should be replaced.
Consult with the manufacturer of the shingles.

 
How Do Shingles Affect the Look of My House?

 


Before
After
Your roof can comprise up to 50% of your home's exterior. As you can see from the "before and after" pictures above, what you do with that 50% can have a tremendous impact on the overall look of your home. With that in mind, you should approach your exterior color choices with the same care as you choose interior colors for your home.

Choose A Complementary Color

Owens Corning offers a wide array of distinctive shingle color blends you can use as a design tool to create your own unique exterior decor.

If you look closely at the shingle color blend you choose, you'll see a combination of different colors. For example, a seemingly gray shingle could actually be a blend of gray, green, brown or black granules. By "pulling out" individual granule color's), and using this color for other exterior elements like siding, paint, trim, brick and entryways, your entire exterior will look coordinated and complementary. And your home's appeal from the street will dramatically increase.

 

Before
After


Before
After

Shingle color isn't the only factor that affects the look of your house. The style of shingle you choose will also help to distinguish your home's exterior.

If you prefer a more consistent, smooth look to your roof, your best bet are 25-year, 30-year and Limited Lifetime dimensional shingles. Dimensional shingles add more visual interest to your roof by giving it a three-dimensional appearance.


3-Tab Shingles
Laminated Dimensional
Multi Laminated Dimensional
 
How Are Shingles Made?
What makes  shingles special? How is a shingle able to withstand the elements? What gives some shingles a three-dimensional appearance? You'll find those answers here.

Shingle Advantage

Every shingle combines consistent quality with long-lasting beauty and maximum protection. Performance is at the heart of every roofing product.

Shingle line features:

bulletFiberglas® mat that adds weather protection, greater fire resistance and longer life.
bulletWeathering-grade asphalt that holds the granules on the shingle and protects the roof from water.
bulletColorful mineral granules that help reflect the sun's rays while adding beauty and style to the roof.
bulletHeat-activated adhesive strip that bonds shingles into a single, watertight unit.
bulletClass A Fire Rating, the highest available for residential applications.
bulletWind Resistance Rating for winds and gusts up to 110 mph depending on the shingle style selected.
bulletLimited product warranties ranging from 20 to 50 years, depending on shingle style.

Three-Tab Shingle Construction

Three-tab shingles are the roofing industry's standard, consisting of two layers of asphalt around a Fiberglas® mat core covered with ceramic mineral granules, notched into three integrated pieces, or tabs.

Owens Corning Three-Tab Shingle

 

  1. Shingle sealant
  2. Mineral surface granules
  3. Weathering-grade asphalt
  4. Fiberglas® mat
  5. Weathering-grade asphalt

 

Laminated Shingle Construction

Laminated shingles are created by bonding two asphalt shingles together, giving them a distinct three-dimensional appearance. Laminates are generally heavier in weight, and allow for greater design flexibility.

Laminated Shingle

 

  1. Shingle sealant
  2. Mineral surface granules
  3. Weathering-grade asphalt
  4. Fiberglas® mat
  5. Weathering-grade asphalt
  6. Mineral surface granules
  7. Weathering-grade asphalt
  8. Fiberglas® mat
  9. Weathering-grade asphalt

 

 Contact Middletown Companies for a free estimate